About Mustard Greens - Bliss in a Leaf!

Don’t worry if this is the first time you’re hearing about this vegetable - indeed many people are unfamiliar with Mustard Greens! So what exactly are Mustard Greens? Well, Mustard greens are the leaves that belong to the flavorful mustard plant ‘Brassica Juncea’.

These leaves are typically a beautiful shade of emerald green; the color may vary to stunning hues of deep red and purple! Additionally, mustard greens possess a distinctive, warm and tempting aroma of mustard!  By incorporating these leaves in your meals, you can uplift the taste and the aesthetic beauty of any meal in no time!

Mustard Greens Nutritional Information

These leaves are packed with health aiding qualities!
For starters they consist of a multitude of wholesome nutrients and minerals - seemingly almost everything under the sun, including protein, iron, calcium potassium, phosphorus, copper and manganese!  What’s more; they have extremely low levels of saturated fat and cholesterol – both of which help keep cholesterol levels in control.

Additionally, Mustard Greens are filled to the brim with a vast range of nourishing vitamins! Indeed, this leafy vegetable contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin K!  Mustard Greens also possess their fair share of dietary fiber!

Health Benefits Of Mustard Greens

Low In Calories!

Mustard Greens are extremely low in calories! Indeed, 100 grams of these leaves amount to only 26 calories!  If you are trying to lose weight, adding mustard greens to your diet would be an extremely wise idea!  After all, mustard greens are high in nutritional value and low in the calories – a win-win situation!

An Effective Anti Cancer Agent!

These leaves are extremely effective in the prevention of the world’s deadliest disease: cancer! It is true that most fruits and vegetables contain antioxidant content; however, these leaves possess SEVERAL antioxidant nutrients which all work in combination to curb oxidative stress! Oxidative stress is what triggers multiple health diseases including cancer!

Anti-Inflammatory Properties!

Mustard Greens contain amazing anti-inflammatory properties due to their content of Vitamin K and Omega-3 fatty acid and Glucosinlates. The anti-inflammatory properties of this vegetable may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer!

Good For The Heart!

Certain content present in mustard greens help significantly in prevention from cardiovascular diseases. In fact, mustard greens can work wonders in this regard!

Mustard greens consist of glucosinolates that work against inflammation and ultimately cardiovascular diseases. Earlier in the days inflammation was not a very well known cause of cardiovascular diseases, but with the progression of scientific research the scenario has become much clearer. Other than that mustard greens regularize cholesterol levels in our body which once again, help in lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The third dimension where mustard greens work their magic in cardiovascular disease prevention is with their content of Folate. These greens provide around 500 micrograms of folate in every hundred calories, falling only second to Turnips which provide the highest amount of folate in every hundred grams!

Possible Ways To Enjoy Mustard Greens

Mustard greens can be an incredibly scrumptious addition to any meal! They are lettuce like in texture, with a peppery kick to them. They are rather pungent and spunky in flavor and make an enticing component to a salad!

Here is a popular mustard greens recipe : In a bowl full of mustard greens, some beans, sweet corn and lettuce, sprinkle a dash of glistening olive oil and enjoy a delicious wholesome sideline to any dish!

Moreover, mustard greens are a great sideline to steaks. In addition to adding some great taste to your meal; they also make your meal look more beautiful with their rich color! Presentation always wins half the battle!
Another way to enjoy your mustard greens is by incorporating it in a pasta salad. Pasta salads as it is are a joy to taste buds, but with a little dose of chopped mustard greens, some pine nuts, goat cheese, toppled over with some olive oil - you will have a lip smacking, delicious meal before you!

Possible Health Concerns

Mustard greens consist of a measurable amount of oxalates. Oxalates can cause health problems in individuals who may already be facing issues pertaining to their kidneys or the gall bladder.  Hence such individuals should avoid consuming mustard greens.